Port Hueneme Revises Beach RV Resort Plan

A revised plan by Port Hueneme to build a recreational vehicle park on the city’s beach received mixed reviews from residents during a packed hearing at the Port Hueneme City Hall.

Under pressure from the state Coastal Commission, the city changed its original plans to protect the beach’s sensitive wildlife habitat.

A buffer zone would be built to separate the RV resort from the J Street drainage canal, while paths would be constructed through coastal sand dunes to protect them from visitors, according to the new plan.

The revised plan also calls for Port Hueneme, Oxnard and the Southern California Edison Co. to monitor the Ormond Beach wetlands, including two years of funding for a team to patrol the area.

But the revisions did not satisfy many of the three dozen residents who spoke at the city’s public hearing on Wednesday.

Ron Bottorf, chairman of the Sierra Club’s local resource committee, told the council that the proposed environmental safeguards fell short of what is needed.

“The Ormond Beach wetland is of statewide significance,” Bottorf said. “They should be part of a permanent and comprehensive plan to protect them.”

Others criticized the proposed park for significantly obstructing ocean views or as a money-loser that would not fulfill the city’s stated goal to raise revenues.

“The RV park is a fiscal gamble at best and a white elephant at worst,” said Brian Murphy, who lives in Surfside III, the condominium complex nearest to the proposed park site.

The Sierra Club and residents of Surfside III have challenged the city’s plans in court.

Other voiced support for the RV resort, saying the city had few options in finding new sources of revenue.

“After four years of listening to both sides of the argument, I see no intelligent reason for not building the RV resort,” Valorie Morrison said. “Our city needs the money.”